Eternal Image Inc (fka ETNLQ)

[LC-GATOR]

the FTC promulgated the following as amended Section 453.4(b)(1)(ii) of the Funeral Rule which makes it an unfair practice for a funeral service provider to:


Charge any fee as a condition to furnishing any funeral goods or funeral services to a person arranging a funeral, other than a fee for: (1) Services of funeral director and staff, permitted by § 453.2(b)(4)(iii)(C); (2) other funeral services and funeral goods selected by the purchaser; and (3) other funeral goods or services required to be purchased [by law]. . .
16 C.F.R.§ 453.

The FTC did not intend the amended Funeral Rule to prohibit funeral service providers from recouping overhead costs or making profits. Rather, the amendment was intended to make clear that only one non-declinable fee could be charged (the one for the professional services of the funeral director), and that funeral service providers could not seek to recoup overhead and make profits by only charging a casket handling fee to those people who chose to purchase their casket from a competitor.